Posts for category: Health

Mouth sores are a painful ordeal. They make eating and drinking difficult and may be something more severe if you don't look into them. Dr. Giulio Cavalli can help assess your mouth sores. Your Pittsfield, MA, ENT can tell you about the different types of sores and how to treat them.

White Patches

When people chew their cheeks, or wear dentures or braces, the skin is irritated. The white patches developed inside your mouth is only healed when you stop the habit, or remove the oral application causing irritation.

Cold Sores

The contagious and painful fluid-filled blisters appear on the lips or around your mouth, and is caused by the herpes simplex virus. If you're suffering from a fever, sunburn, or hormonal change, the sore may manifest itself. There's no cure but prescription ointments help alleviate pain.

Candidiasis

The painful red and beige-colored patch results from a fungal infection. Candidiasis makes it difficult to taste and swallow, and usually affects people suffering from immune system problems.

Canker Sores

These painful sores appear in the mouth and aren't contagious. The small sore has a red border and pain is reduced with the use of prescription medication and/ topical treatments. Canker sores take one to two weeks to be treated.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer appears as painless canker sores on the tongue, or floor of the mouth, and any tissue near the mouth. The most common precancerous cells are leukoplakias, which manifests as white lesions near the tongue, cheeks or gums, and erythroplakia, which are red elevated lesions that have a great chance of becoming malignant.

To diagnose either of them, leukoplakias and erythroplakia, you need to undergo a biopsy with your Pittsfield ENT.

If you are worried about oral cancer or have a painful mouth sore that won't go away, you can schedule an appointment with your ENT, Dr. Giulio Cavalli. Your Pittsfield, MA, doctor can be reached at (413) 443-6116‎.

Hearing loss is an ordeal many people have to live with, but you don't have to live through it alone. Your Ear Nose and Throat Specialist, Dr. Giulio Cavalli, in Pittsfield, MA, can help.

The reasons behind hearing loss vary in their causes and manifestations, and happens to people of all ages. About 17 percent (26 million) of American adults report suffering from some degree of hearing loss. it is important to understand how hearing works before discussing causes and treatments for hearing loss though.

Hearing loss may be:

Sudden or gradual

Occur in one or both ears

Temporary or permanent

Treatments and Evaluations:

Comprehensive hearing evaluations, such as tinnitus evaluations

Hearing Aid Evaluations: A time for questions and discussion of expectations.

Hearing Aid Fittings: A time to orient to new hearing aid(s).

Hearing Aid Checks: These are usually scheduled every six months.

There are multiple hearing aids. Here are a few:

Rechargeable hearing aids

Android and i-phone compatible hearing aids

Automatic programming for ease of use

Discreet hearing aids in both custom and BTE styles

Ability to remotely program hearing aids

Aids suitable for patients with an active, casual or quiet lifestyle

Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are designed to improve hearing. The goal of amplifying sounds at specific frequencies where there's hearing loss can improve the overall quality of life, such as the listening environment, especially when you're placed in a noisy place.

The hearing aids accomplish this amplification by:

Making speech more intelligible

Making communication less tiring

Preserving nerve networks in the brain

Hearing loss is difficult to deal with already, but you don't have to be alone. The doctor at Pittsfield, MA, Dr. Giulio Cavalli, can help you deal with your hearing loss dilemmas and improve your way of life. To learn and more, call (413) 443-6116 in Pittsfield, MA‎.

Sinus infections are fairly common but yet they share a lot of similar symptoms to the common cold that they can often be overlooked. Of course, it’s important to be able to tell the difference so that you know how to effectively treat your symptoms and know what over-the-counter medications to take. Our Pittsfield, MA, otolaryngologist, Dr. Giulio Cavalli, weighs in on the telltale signs of a sinus infection and when you should see a doctor.

What is sinusitis (sinus infection)?

This condition is characterized by red, inflamed nasal passages that can often become blocked if the condition is severe enough. A sinus infection is often viral in nature, but can also be the result of bacteria or fungus.

What are the symptoms?

Sometimes it’s challenging to pinpoint whether the symptoms you are dealing with are truly due to a sinus infection. Our Pittsfield ENT doctor is here to help you tell the difference between sinusitis and other respiratory problems. You may have a sinus infection if you have:

Sinus headaches

Nasal congestion

Facial pain or pressure (you may feel pressure behind the eyes)

Nasal discharge or postnasal drip

Sore throat

When should you visit a doctor?

While not all sinus infections will warrant a trip to the doctor, it’s a good idea to give us a call if you notice a fever along with these other symptoms, or if your symptoms last more than 10 days. You should also schedule an appointment with us if your symptoms keep returning.

While a fever is not a common symptom of a sinus infection it could indicate that another respiratory infection is present, which should be treated as soon as possible.

Can a sinus infection become chronic?

Yes, it is possible to deal with chronic sinusitis. While this isn’t as common, those with a true chronic infection will experience symptoms that last more than 12 weeks and don’t go away with at-home care. If this occurs, you may need to talk to us about balloon sinuplasty or other more aggressive measures for treating your sinus infection.

Don’t let a severe or chronic sinus infection affect your life. Turn to our ENT specialist, Dr. Cavalli, in Pittsfield, MA, for the individualized care and treatment plan you need to breathe a little easier.

Does it seem like everyone is mumbling these days? Hearing loss can make it difficult to interact with friends and family members or even enjoy your favorite TV show. Luckily, hearing aids offer an effective way to improve your hearing. Our Pittsfield, MA, otolaryngologist, Dr. Giulio Cavalli, explains how hearing aids can help you.

How do hearing aids work?

Hearing aids amplify sounds and also reduce background noise that may make it hard to hear. A hearing aid is a good option when your hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells in your inner ear. Although spending a lot of time around loud noises can damage hair cells, the problem may also occur due to the natural effects of aging or as a medication side effect, or may happen if you have certain diseases.

How can I tell if I need a hearing aid?

Do you have trouble hearing your more soft-spoken friends, or have you noticed that you don't hear every word in a conversation? A hearing aid can help you ensure that you don't feel left out or miss crucial information due to your hearing loss. Watching a movie in a theater can be difficult when you can't hear well. If you've noticed it's impossible to hear the dialogue above the background music, you may benefit from a hearing aid. In some cases, hearing can even cause problems in your relationship, particularly if your partner thinks you are ignoring him or her or not paying attention.

Aren't hearing aids ugly and uncomfortable?

Years ago, hearing aids were large and extremely noticeable. Luckily, there have been significant improvements in hearing aid technology in recent years. Manufacturers discovered how to decrease the size of hearing aids and also improve their effectiveness. Depending on your symptoms and your preferences, we may recommend a in-ear or over-the-ear hearing aid if we determine that you have hearing loss when you visit our Pittsfield office. Today's hearing aids don't just have one setting. You can adjust them as needed depending on the noise level around you.

Are you interested in finding out if a hearing aid could help you hear better? Call our Pittsfield, MA, otolaryngologist, Dr. Cavalli, at (413) 443-6116 to schedule an appointment.

Hearing issues can occur gradually and aren't always easy to recognize. Dr. Giulio Cavalli at Giulio Cavalli Medical in Pittsfield, MA, shares a few signs that may indicate that you have a hearing loss and explains how you can benefit from hearing aids.

How do I know if I have a problem?

In addition to a noticeable problem with your hearing, you may experience some of these more subtle signs of hearing loss, such as:

Missed Words: Do you only catch every other word when you're talking to someone or frequently have to ask them to repeat themselves? Although it's possible that the person mumbles or just doesn't speak loudly enough, if the problem occurs no matter who you speak to, a hearing problem may be to blame.

You Need Visual Clues: If it's hard to hear people if they aren't in the same room with you, you may be relying on visual clues to augment your hearing.

Telephone Conversations are Challenging: Difficulty hearing while using the telephone can also be a sign of a problem. If no one else has difficulty when they use your phone, you may have developed hearing loss.

Movies Aren't Enjoyable: Is it hard to hear the dialogue over the background music at movies? Going to a movie isn't much fun if you can't follow the action.

You Need to Turn Up the Volume: People who have hearing loss may not even realize that there's an issue until friends or family members complain of too-loud TVs and radios.

Is a hearing aid right for me?

Hearing aids don't just amplify sounds. They also help decrease background noise that can make it difficult to hear conversations or the dialogue in your favorite TV show. Thanks to improvements in hearing aid technology, aids don't have to be large or obtrusive. Analog and digital aids are available and can be worn in or over the ear, depending on the type. When you visit Dr. Cavalli's Pittsfield office, he and his staff will help you find the perfect hearing aid for your particular problem.